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Air Quality and Air Pollution

Air Quality and Air Pollution. Pollution . Introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that cause negative effects (harmful or poisonous) Anthropogenic Pollution: environmental pollutants created from human activity. Air Quality Index (AQI).

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Air Quality and Air Pollution

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  1. Air Quality and Air Pollution

  2. Pollution • Introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that cause negative effects (harmful or poisonous) • Anthropogenic Pollution: environmental pollutants created from human activity

  3. Air Quality Index (AQI) • an indicator of air quality, based on air pollutants that have adverse effects on human health and the environment • Reported as a number by government agencies to indicate the effect of the quality of air on human health • The higher the number the more hazardous the air conditions are

  4. The lower the number the better the quality of air. • Measure mainly the composition of ground-level ozone, particulates, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide. • www.airnow.gov

  5. Nitrogen dioxide • A reddish-brown gas with a sharp odor and is prominent air pollutant • Used in the production of nitric acid (which is used in many fertilizers • Other sources include vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions, and gasoline vapors • When combined with organic chemicals in the air and heat will form ground-level ozone

  6. Ground Level Ozone • Ozone in the upper atmosphere is safe and helpful as it protects form UV rays • Ozone near the ground can cause respiratory and other health effects • Damages crops and alters wildlife habitat as well

  7. Particulate Matter (PM) • Sources – known as your dry deposition (pollutants travelling as a solid or gas) • Dust • Motor Vehicle Exhaust • Factories • Burning of Fossil Fuels • Dangers • Reduces visibility • Interferes with photosynthesis • May alter climate

  8. Acid Rain • Rain or other types of precipitation that have become acidic due to emissions of nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide • These gases react with water molecules in the atmosphere to become acidic • Wet deposition – air pollutants transported with precipitation • Effects on the Environment • Corosion of buildings, bridges, infrastructure, etc • Paint to peel

  9. Plume – clouds of gases/pollutants that travel great distances from a single source Point Source- identifiable source of pollution

  10. Smog • Causes by the burning of large amounts of coal and other fossil fuels in a city • Smog contains soot particulates form smoke and sulfur dioxide • Caused by vehicle emission and industrial fumes

  11. Beijiing, china

  12. Population • China: 1.351 Billion • Beijiing: 11.51 million

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